Anyone move out of IL? (Chicago, Washington: buy, income, quality of life)

[olive03]

After talking on and off for a very long time about relocating, we finally left Illinois last year and moved out west.

My husband (who is a native Chicagoan) was DONE with IL and has no desire to ever move back. I miss our network of family, friends, schools, etc. but as far as missing the actual state and all of the nonsense that comes with it? Absolutely not.

ETA: Three friends of mine left IL in 2020 as well. They landed in Arizona, Wisconsin, and New York (upstate).

[jasperhobbs]

I find it interesting that there a lot of people that have recently moved to where I live (Galena area). Many are from the Chicago area but some are from other states. Yes we are still under the umbrella of Illinois problems but I wonder if there is more of a mass exodus elsewhere from Chicago than the rest of the state.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

I find it interesting that there a lot of people that have recently moved to where I live (Galena area). Many are from the Chicago area but some are from other states. Yes we are still under the umbrella of Illinois problems but I wonder if there is more of a mass exodus elsewhere from Chicago than the rest of the state.

If you're moving to the Galena area, it surprises me that more haven't researched the advantages tax wise (especially in the future) of moving across the river to Iowa.

[Justabystander]

Originally Posted by Grlzrl

I can tell you this. The Illinois flight is going to increase exponentially in June when school is out. I know people are waiting for the end of this school year to move. We are considering it and we are going to look in Florida over Spring break. Companies are not going back in the office so people who can leave are leaving. It's only just begun.

Then some homes can finally come on the market. Around me houses sell immediately if priced right. They all can't be leaving Illinois.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by jmgg

If you're moving to the Galena area, it surprises me that more haven't researched the advantages tax wise (especially in the future) of moving across the river to Iowa.

People fall in love with Galena area terrain and the quaint little town. Iowa property taxes are not bad but they tag you on vehicle licensing and Dubuque has its problems.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

People fall in love with Galena area terrain and the quaint little town. Iowa property taxes are not bad but they tag you on vehicle licensing and Dubuque has its problems.

I'll give you that on what I've heard about Dubuque as well, and we both know the reasons. I'm pretty sure their state income tax is lower than Illinois and they don't tax Social Security. The terrain outside of the town of Galena is the same extending for a long way west and north. The town itself is really cool to visit (been there maybe 5 times). Living there I think I'd get tired of the tourists after a short while though. Maybe it's not as bad as I envision to that regard.

[flamadiddle]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

People fall in love with Galena area terrain and the quaint little town. Iowa property taxes are not bad but they tag you on vehicle licensing and Dubuque has its problems.

and Iowa income tax is higher so why bother. In the end it's 6 one way and a half dozen the other when comparing Iowa to Galena, IL.

Regarding the remote work discussion. I've been working remote 6 years now and would never go back to an office! You can keep that commute, useless business casual clothing we had to buy (aka work uniform), the office talkers that stopped by every day to ramble on about nothing, constant interruptions breaking your focus, the boss/coworkers that arrive extra early and leave extra late making you feel guilty for leaving after 8 hours and on and on... No thanks, never doing that again!

OP, we moved away (to the Atlanta area) and then moved back. Atlanta never felt like home and it was too hot. Been back in Illinois for ~4 years now. I admit that we're now considering something in the middle with a little less Winter. I actually enjoy Winter/snow, but it's a bit much here. Unfortunately we have not found a suitable alternative that doesn't have an astronomical CoL.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by jmgg

I'll give you that on what I've heard about Dubuque as well, and we both know the reasons. I'm pretty sure their state income tax is lower than Illinois and they don't tax Social Security. The terrain outside of the town of Galena is the same extending for a long way west and north. The town itself is really cool to visit (been there maybe 5 times). Living there I think I'd get tired of the tourists after a short while though. Maybe it's not as bad as I envision to that regard.

I live 5 miles from town and rarely deal the touristy thing.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

I find it interesting that there a lot of people that have recently moved to where I live (Galena area). Many are from the Chicago area but some are from other states. Yes we are still under the umbrella of Illinois problems but I wonder if there is more of a mass exodus elsewhere from Chicago than the rest of the state.

They must be moving a bit more to the in-town area, as the county as a whole is losing a larger percentage of the total population since 2010. The county demographics are also becoming much more heavily skewed toward retirees as well.

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fa...s,US/PST045219

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

I find it interesting that there a lot of people that have recently moved to where I live (Galena area). Many are from the Chicago area but some are from other states. Yes we are still under the umbrella of Illinois problems but I wonder if there is more of a mass exodus elsewhere from Chicago than the rest of the state.

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

They must be moving a bit more to the in-town area, as the county as a whole is losing a larger percentage of the total population since 2010. The county demographics are also becoming much more heavily skewed toward retirees as well.

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fa...s,US/PST045219

I bet when the stats are updated, there will be a gain in Jo Daviess county. There was a surplus of homes for sale in the Galena territories which were primarily second homes from Chicago people. Since covid, most of of the houses have sold to permanent residents. I am guessing most work from home.